LOCAL KNOWLEDGE NORTHALLERTON

Right in the Vale of Mowbray, this North Yorkshire town is highly accessible by both road and rail and has great riding all around it. To the west, the Pennines give you Tour de France-approved challenges, while to the east it’s the crippling gradients and heathery views of the North Yorkshire Moors that will lure you. In between, there’s plenty of easier riding in the quiet lanes of this rural region.

ROUTE ONE

Saddle Rash, 99 miles Savage North Yorks century ride Northallerton Prison had the world’s largest treadmill but that’s nothing to the suffering dished out here. After a flat start, the trend is upwards to Hawes, where we climb the legendary Fleet Moss the hard way. The descent through Wharfedale is just reward, but the Park Rash climb, from Kettlewell, is brutal. Get the route: tinyurl.com/cplus-northrash

ROUTE TWO

Testing at times, 45 miles A test of legs and brakes This route is comfortable until around 16 miles, when you have to hurl yourself at Coalmire Lane, the gradient topping 25 per cent in more than one place. By comparison, the climbs from Osthmotherley and Hawnby are pretty benign, just don’t come to grief descending the legendary Sneck Yate. Get the route: tinyurl.com/cplus-northtest

ROUTE THREE

North Riding, 40 miles Enjoyable lanes meandering Spending some time poking around the quiet lanes that can be found between Northallerton and the Tees is a good a way to enjoy some relaxed riding. At Bolton on Swale, make sure that you visit the tomb of Henry Jenkins who, it is claimed, lived to 169! Get the route: tinyurl.com/cplus-northlanes